THE ESOTERIC
KANDAR ANUBHUTI
THE SECRET TEACHING ON
GOD-EXPERIENCE
(A Treatise on Adwaitic Realization)
OF
SAINT ARUNAGIRINATHAR
| THE ESOTERIC KANDAR ANUBHUTI THE SECRET TEACHING ON GOD-EXPERIENCE (A Treatise on Adwaitic Realization) OF SAINT ARUNAGIRINATHAR | |
 | by N.V. Karthikeyan |  |
| previous page next page contents PDF version complete download of this book |
| Now, a treatise is a systematic exposition of a subject, and it should, therefore, have a clear link of ideas from verse to verse, leading one, step by step, from the beginning of Sadhana to the pinnacle of Attainment. However no such link seems to obtain on the very surface of the verses; and that, if it is not apparently visible, it should be mystically hidden, is but natural. We should, therefore, strongly feel that there should be an esoteric meaning behind the verses, in addition to their explicit meaning/instruction, so as to lead the seeker stage by stage till the attainment of the Grand Goal of God-Experience. Thus, if we are to accept that the title and arrangement of verses of the Kandar Anubhuti are Saint Arunagiri's own, and that his purpose in giving the treatise is to help seeking souls in their attainment of God; if we are to do full justification to the title, 'Kandar Anubhuti'; if we are to give due respect to Thayumanava Swamigal's tribute to the Kandar Anubhuti, viz., that it is a work given after attaining Divine Experience; and if we are to regard the work as a 'word-garland' (Senchor Punai Maalai) and capable of conferring mukti (all which we cannot but accept), (whether it is accepted as the 'Maatrukaa Pushpa Maalai' or not), we have every reason to strongly feel that the work should have an esoteric significance. Because, mere praise-songs or a collection of verses cannot help one attain God-Experience which is a gradual process of unfoldment, and not an easy thing to be attained. Anubhuti is had as a result of Abhyasa; a graduated practice based on profound understanding leads to perfection. This is what marks out the Kandar Anubhuti as distinct from all other works, not only of others but even of Saint Arunagiri himself. Tiruppugazh songs, Kandar-Alankaram, etc. may be meant for recitation (Bhajans) and they may be regarded as Stuti or praise-songs, though they contain spiritual instructions too, but not the Kandar Anubhuti; because mere recitation alone cannot be expected to lead one to Anubhuti or actual God-Experience. It demands a systematic practice, with understanding, and that is what is expounded in this rare work. We would not be wrong, I feel, if we interpret the title 'Kandar Anubhuti' as (1) 'God-Experience', as also (2) 'the practice that leads to God-Experience'. We also find that there is no uniformity in the verses, i.e., all verses are not of the same type, in the sense that not all are in the form of prayer, or appeal for help, or revelation of spiritual experience, or instruction, or admonition, etc. There are verses which touch and kindle the emotions; which express repentance, anxiety and prayer; which exclaim one's gratitude over the special blessings conferred; which give specific and clear-cut instructions to follow; which reveal great wisdom and secret clues to higher experiences, etc., etc. Not only this; these verses of different types are curiously interspersed, so to say. This gives the clue and suggestion that it should be a regular treatise on God-attainment, since there is a need for all these elements in such a work, as an aspirant will pass through varying mental states and experiences in the course of his practices. (This is also the reason why any attempt to rearrange the verses would nullify the very purpose of the work). The order of the verses is so calculatedly, perfectly and purpose-fully arranged by Arunagiri (though it appears to be jumbled, on account of which the work is regarded as a collection) that the import or subject of each verse will | ||
xix |
  |
| ... www.kaumaram.com ... The website for Lord Murugan and His Devotees முகப்பு கௌமாரம் அட்டவணை மேலே தேடல் home Kaumaram contents top search |
 If you do not see Tamil characters or for 'offline' viewing, please install 'SaiIndira' fonts from Azhagi.com download Free Azhagi software |
Kaumaram.com is a non-commercial website. This website is a dedication of Love for Lord Murugan. Please take note that Kaumaram.com DOES NOT solicit any funding, DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY. [xhtml] .[css] |